Pruitt goes before a Senate panel Wednesday as he faces a growing number of federal ethics investigations over his lavish spending on travel and security. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), said that while she recognized that Pruitt had made tangible progress on some issues championed by the GOP, she was also concerned those accomplishments "are being overshadowed because of a series of issues related to you and your management of the agency". The EPA chief said his attorney is working with the Government Accountability Office to make sure the fund is established appropriately.

Pruitt confirmed the proposed Superfund budget cut, adding, "Sometimes, I'm not as persuasive as I want to be with OMB".

"Oh, somebody might criticize you?"

"According to EPA's assistant inspector general, Scott Pruitt has faced an unprecedented amount of death threats against him and his family", said EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox in a statement last month.

But Patrick Leahy, also a Democrat, blasted the agency chief for claiming he needed first class travel for security reasons, saying it was 'silly'. The subcommittee's top Democrat, Sen. The email said the administrator "encourages" the use of lights and sirens.

"Unfortunately, I am concerned that numerous important policy efforts that you are engaged in are being overshadowed because of a series of issues related to you and your management of the agency", she said.

"I don't recall that happening", Pruitt said, asked repeatedly by Udall if he had ordered lights and sirens. "Because of a danger to you, you had to fly first class".

In testifying before senators on Wednesday, Pruitt said that some of the decisions that lead to the scandals were not handled properly.

"Then that's a gift, that's a violation of federal law, " Udall said, noting that subordinates of federal officials are prohibited from providing free services to their bosses.

In a February 2017 email released Wednesday by Democratic Sens. Perrotta has since resigned.

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"Good things came out of that meeting and that decision", Pruitt said while speaking Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.

At the beginning of the hearing, Republican Sen.

"Instead of being asked about the work that you're doing".

Pruitt denied having knowledge of EPA concerns and told Capito the agency will hold a C-8 summit next week.

"You have used your office to enrich yourself at the expense of the American taxpayer and public health and such abuses have led to several investigations", Udall said. He added that the White House was conducting its own investigation into the condo rental, as well as a separate probe into a $43,000 "soundproof privacy booth" Pruitt had installed in his Washington, DC, office. A whistleblower said Pruitt lied about not retaliating against aides who questioned his decisions.

"They will be published, yes", the administrator said.

Despite the myriad scandals, President Trump has stood by Pruitt's side.

Pruitt also addressed the ethics allegations against him in general. At Pruitt's request, the enhanced protection begin on his first day in office, the inspector general said, while Pruitt and his aides have pointed to a memo dated six months into his tenure as justifying justification the detail. It will be his fourth time before a congressional committee this year.

A damaging internal email showed that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt encouraged his motorcade to use flashing lights and sirens to move him quickly through Washington D.C.'s heavy traffic. Records show four accounts were created for Pruitt.

Among Pruitt's guests at a dinner in Italy past year was Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican official who has been charged with sexual abuse.